FMI Clatters, AKA Nigel ‘Clatters’ Clatworthy, is a Plymouth-based musician who we’ve been following intently for a good few years…ever since he wandered into our cross-hairs wearing a swingball hat at Beautiful Days many moons ago…
CATCH HIM AT GLASTONBURY AT THE BIMBLE INN ON FRIDAY AT 14:15
We asked our good old AI companion to tell us what others were saying about him…and the results came in thus:
He’s been described as a “folky, storytelling, festival regular” And is well-known for his uplifting blend of music and humor, delivering a mix of self-penned songs, parodies, and occasional sea shanties.
- “He’s a sort of mix of folky punky acoustic nonsense“ (Unite Live).
- As an acoustic artist, usually performing with just his guitar and mandolin, humor and storytellingare Clatters’ main weapons, with songs often combining “wit and humour with lyrics that can pull at the heart strings” (Visit Weston-super-Mare).
- He writes on subjects that range from “lost love to the best type of pasty,” and generally (make that always) with “a big smile on his face” (Bandsintown).
- At Clatters’ engaging live shows audiences he tells us we can expect a “fun experience with plenty of crowd participation and interaction between myself and the audience” (Unite Live).
- He’s never been known to not incorporate comedy into his performances and has alter egos including the now infamous swingball-man and a mild mannered teacher.
- He’s usually to be seen when not on a stage “wandering around the festival field with tankard in one hand and standard lamp in the other.”(Bandsintown)
- One thing’s for sure, you can expect a versatile repertoire ,with his shows including original music, parodies, humour & sea shanties.
Not bad, Gemini, but as ever with an AI synopsis, these lines miss the heart and soul of the show…that moment when a mild-mannered troubadour gives his all in front a a field-full of strangers (as well as a steadily growing cohort of regular friends)… instantly engaging with the crowd’s emotions.
We’ve known and loved Clatters for years, and he’s a true diamond… you need to go and check him out at Glastonbury, it will be good for your general sense of inner peace… Oh – and a jolly good laugh too.
FMI Clatters apparently has a Background and a Career (according to our research anyway…)
- Nigel started singing professionally at age 8 as a chorister, then took a “40-year break” before picking up a guitar again. (Bridport & West Bay, Unite Live)
- He adopted the stage name “FMI Clatters!” to avoid pupils he taught at school finding him on social media. (Unite Live)
- He’s been a “card carrying union member since [he] was sixteen” and has played at events like the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival.
- FMI Clatters is now a firm fixture on the festival scene, having played at Watchet Festival, Beautiful Days, Here for the Music, InCider, OutCider, Cursus festivals, and even two capacity slots at The Bimble Inn. (Visit Weston-super-Mare, Bandsintown). He is already listed for Teddy Rocks Festival in 2026.(Teddy Rocks Festival)
- Clatters has supported well-known acts in the folk/punk scene such as Gaz Brookfield, The Leylines, Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs, and Mad Dog Mcrea.
SHHH… ITS THE HILL OF DEATH….
We’ll let you in on a little secret – Clatters will be helping to unofficially open the festival as part of the now-traditional acoustic ‘hill of death’ set on Tuesday evening alongside depleted members of the Voodoo Tweed Cult of Yer Mum… we’ll see you there!
